Abu Dhabi bans single men from Corniche beaches

Abu Dhabi Municipality has banned single men from some areas of beach on the Corniche as a result of complaints from women and families.

Unaccompanied men are now not allowed on the paid family beach, or sitting along the footpath which runs behind it.

The new rules have been introduced after complaints from other beach users that they are being stared at, photographed and bothered.

“We do not discriminate. Everybody is most welcome if he follows our rules and regulations,” Al Tamimi, a supervisor in the municipality’s community-services division, told The National. “At the end of the day it’s a public place, for everyone.”

“We have to be balanced with everything that we are doing,” Arif Al Tamimi added. “We want everybody to enjoy but in the right way.”

Single men are still allowed on the area’s two free public beaches, as well as the paid Al Sahil beach, as long as they are wearing appropriate swimming attire.